Jamaica so far...

Transitions

In just two short days I have met some of the most interesting and amazing people here in Kingston. I met Delphine during our preparing for change training in Ottawa in June 2010; we instantly hit it off and became good friends. It was only by coincidence that we both ended up working on projects in the same country!! She has been by my side since I arrived; touring me around town, introducing me to other volunteers, helping me search for apartments, getting me a cell phone (I think Digicel needs to hire you!), showing me the importance of comfortable shoes, and of course...Devon House Ice cream! Bless you Delphine for being such a great friend!

It has all been exhilarating and a little overwhelming but the other CUSO-VSO volunteers are wonderful and so supportive...my instant family!

So far what I have discovered...one never walks alone at night (this is not much of a walking culture at all actually), forget strolling with a latte and window shopping in areas like Yaletown (think more luke warm sodas on Hastings @ Main), a cloudy day doesn’t always equate to rain, however, a sunny day certainly could, gum boots would have been a great idea (Vancouver rain has nothing on this!), there are 2 A/C settings...cold and colder, there are 2 jerk chicken settings...hot and hotter, and most importantly...LOOK RIGHT, always LOOK RIGHT before stepping off the curb!

As for the rest of my week, well in typical Coreena fashion, it's packed...I meet my CUSO-VSO team on Monday followed by meeting my colleagues at YOU. Tuesday there is a going away dinner for one of our departing volunteers. Wednesday I move into my lovely little apartment. Thursday I will attend my first Capoeira class. Friday is a YOU social function. Saturday I will introduce my famous Sweet Potato Pie (clean version) for our CUSO-VSO Thanksgiving celebration (I brought a tonne of decorations from Canada, hehe!) and Sunday...I thought I would leave that one to chance...

"Preparing for Change" Training - Ottawa June 4 - 7, 2010

So here I am in Ottawa, Canada's capitol city...and what an amazing city! I had no idea what to expect when I got here, but I am pleasantly surprised to say the least. Sheila and Linda met me out here in Thursday, and we toured the Parliment building on Friday prior to my training. We dined at an incredible resto/lounge called Eighteen in the Market district and stayed at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. I told them that I don't think I can afford to be their friend any more! haha! Linda graciously picked up the tab for the wine...oh, and it was so worth it!

So now the real reason I am here...Preparing for Change. So far this work shop is exactly what I expected, although the major theme of this adventure that I am about to partake in is to have NO EXPECTATIONS!! We have covered a lot of ground already in just 2 days; travel documents, saying goodbye, stereo-types, expectations, defining "development", dealing with isolation and loneliness, relationships (building new ones and managing current ones), cultural differences, communication...and it's only just begun!

It is really wonderful to be surrounded with so many other like minded people. We are all so different and yet we share similar values and passions...even though some of us have a hard time defining or expressing what it is that we are feeling and our motivations, we all "get" each other! We are all here for the same underlying reason...world citizenship. Thank you to my new friend Delphine for that concept!

I am getting even more excited about my upcoming trip. The unknown is exhilarating and scary. There is so much to think about and consider...where will I go, what will I be doing, will I do a good job, will I make friends, will I be safe, what will my new home look like, will I miss my family and my friends, will they even notice I am gone, will I succeed in changing the world in only 6 short months (haha).

I take comfort in knowing that everything will work out just as it should!!

A Little History...

This whole process started on January 25, 2010 when I received an email from my Corportate Affairs department regarding a new partnership our company had formed with CUSO-VSO, North America's leading non-profit, international development organization.

Through this new CUSO-VSO Employee Fellowship Program, 3 employees in Canada would be selected to fill overseas volunteer positions for a period of 6 - 12 months.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? I get to fulfill a dream of living and working in a developing country AND I am guaranteed to have my job when I return??? Where to I apply right???

Needless to say, after a 4 month application process (first through my company, then through the volunteer organization), on May 17, 2010 I received official word that out of 163 applicants, I was accepted into the program!!! YIPPEE!!!

I was then presented with an amazing opportunity to work with the Board of Directors at an inner-city organization (Youth Opportunities Unlimited), in Kingston, Jamaica!!

I depart on October 1, 2010!!

I want to thank my colleagues and superiors at my company that have unconditionally supported me in my pursuit of this life changing opportunity! Thank you to the Selection Committee for believing in me as an ambassador for my company! Thank you to CUSO-VSO for believing in my skills and abilities to potentially make a difference in the developing worlds, and as a representative of your organization. And most of all...thank you to all of my family and friends that have provided me unconditional love and support throughout this whole process!! But your work is not done yet...the hard part begins on October 1, 2010, and I do hope for your continued support once I depart to pursue this new chapter in my life!!

Check out my Journal and Photo Gallery regularly for updates throughout my journey, and PLEASE stay in touch!

Cheers!
Coreena